Ukrainian commander dismissed amid encirclement risk near Kurakhove - DeepState

DeepState reported this. MP Maryana Bezuhla also shared the information.

According to sources, Oleksandr Lutsenko has been removed from his position as commander of the Donetsk operational and tactical group. He will take a post in the Command of the Ground Forces.

The OSINT information project also reports on the critical situation surrounding the Uspenivka pocket south of Kurakhove.

"The latest reports from there are not very encouraging, and the situation is steadily worsening. It’s worth highlighting several key locations within the 'pocket' - Yelyzavetivka, Romanivka, Veselyi Hai, and Hannivka - which are directly inside it and where Russian forces are relentlessly trying to break through from literally all sides. In addition, Trudove, Uspenivka, and Dalne play a crucial role in holding this 'pocket.' It is from Dalne and Trudove that the Russians are pushing into Uspenivka, where the 'pocket' is closing," the report states.

DeepState believes that the current situation in this sector is the result of "inaction or unclear actions by the Donetsk operational and tactical group."

"The Russian army is occupying an increasingly larger area directly in Uspenivka, risking encircling and trapping Ukrainian Defense Forces units in Hannivka, Uspenivka, Trudove, Veselyi Hai, and Romanivka," the analysts write.

• On December 12, Chairman of the Council of Reservists of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Ivan Tymochko noted that the occupation of Kurakhove remains Russia's target.